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Commentary produced April 25, 2014

April 25, 2014

HEADLINES

Spring field work stopped

Soil temperature update

Weekly weather potpourri

MPR listener question

Almanac for April 25th

Past weather

Outlook

Spring field work stopped

Just as the Minnesota agricultural landscape had finally thawed and
dried enough to permit field work earlier this week, a large storm
system brought widespread precipitation to the state over April 23-25,
stopping any significant progress in field work by farmers. Widespread
amounts ranging from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches occurred around the
state, falling mostly as rain. Several observers did report over 1 inch
of rainfall with little runoff, so that much of the moisture was
obviously going into the soil. Some northern observers did record
snowfall as well, and in some cases it was record-setting. Those
reporting daily record snowfall amounts included: Silver Bay 7.5", Tofte
10.2", Grand Portage 10.0", Kabetogama 4.1", Cook 6.0", Embarrass and
Isabella with4.0", Duluth 4.3", and International Falls 2.8 inches. The
Duluth Weather Service Office now reports a snow season total of 129.6
inches, ranking 3rd most in history, while International Falls now
reports 100.6 inches for the season, ranking 5th most historically.

Soil temperature update

Soil temperature have been moderating this week ranging from the mid 40s
F to mid 50s F at the 4 inch depth, except for some far northern
locations which have seen average soil temperatures in the mid 30s F. A
number of observers report a frost layer between 20 and 30 inches which
is the last remnant of deep ground frost from this long, cold winter.
Surface mulches should be removed by now so the soil can take in more
spring moisture and also warm up more directly from the higher spring
sun angles. With the threat of frost seen for the early to middle parts
of next week, it is wise to hold off on transplanting any potted plants
from the indoors to outdoors until after next week.

Weekly weather potpourri

The Canada-based Climate Solutions Centre has released a series of
short educational documentaries related to climate change and addressing
its consequences. These are intended for educational use and to
provoke discussion in the classroom or among community groups. You can
view the series at...http://climatesolutionscentre.com/

A
paper published this week in the journal Nature describes the decline
of the tropical rain forest in the Congo. Using NASA satellite image
data to assess greenness over this area of Africa, researchers from
Albany State University in NY show the decline is related to persistent
drought over the area. Authors note that continued drought will lead to
a change in forest composition and biodiversity in this area of Africa.
You can read more at...http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140423170909.htm

Northwestern
portions of China were plagued by sand storms this week which closed
schools and caused widespread power outages. Persistent strong winds
(55-65 mph) lifted sands out of the Gobi Desert and carried them over
China in waves of sand clouds. You can see and hear more about this
story from the BBC Weather Centre at...http://www.bbc.com/weather/features/27115306

Persistent
drought in Brazil has resulted in higher prices for coffee beans.
Production estimates have been lowered for the coffee crop and since
Brazil supplies a large fraction of beans to the USA and other
countries, the price has risen recently to a two-year high. You can
read more about this at...http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2014/04/24/coffee-brazil-drought/

The
cooler than normal April temperatures have extended the ice fishing
season in northern Minnesota, notably on Lake Bemidji, Lake of the
Woods, and Rainy Lake. Anglers are advised to check with local resorts
and sport shops about ice safety before going out, as the ice is
deteriorating with each passing day. Fishing is reported to be good in
most places up north.

MPR listener question

"Following last week's snow I noticed my car was covered with a light
brown coating of dirt. I noticed a number of other cars showing the
same thing. Did this dirt arrive with the snow and where did it come
from?"

Answer: Yes, I think the dirt (soil) did arrive with the snow,
especially because a number of MPR listeners reported the same
observation, including a glass greenhouse that got covered with brown
spots after the snow melted. The low pressure system which brought the
snowfall to Minnesota last week over April 16-17 came out of eastern
Colorado and moved ENE across the Great Lakes region. In doing so there
was strong low level flow (850 mb or about 5000 ft) from the
southwestern USA. Examining the upper air patterns last week can allow
me to back track source regions for this soil carried by the air, and it
appears that NM and west TX had been reporting dust storms earlier this
month. So some of this dirt in the snow may have come from those areas
of the country. In addition farmers in the states of CO, TX, OK, and
KS were busy with tillage and planting last week, and strong surface
winds may have caused some soil to be airborne. In CO they were
planting spring barley and spring wheat last week, in KS and OK they
were planting corn, sorghum, and soybeans, and in TX farmers were
planting similar crops plus cotton. Soil from all of these states is
lighter in color and could therefore leave a light brown stain or
residue after snow melt. I think this is the most logical conclusion to
draw about observations in our state of "dirty snow."

Twin Cities Almanac for April 25th

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 61 degrees F (plus or
minus 11 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 41
degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for April 25th

MSP weather records for this date include: highest daily maximum
temperature of 91 degrees F in 1962; lowest daily maximum temperature of
37 degrees F in 1950; lowest daily minimum temperature is 25 degrees F
in 1907; highest daily minimum temperature of 66 F in 1915 and 1990;
record precipitation of 1.47 inches in 1902; and a record 3.2 inches of
snow fell on this date in 1950.

Average dew point for April 25th is 36 degrees F, with a maximum of 63 degrees F in 1990 and a minimum of 9 degrees F in 1933.

All-time state records for April 25th

The state record high temperature for this date is 96 degrees F at
Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) in 1962. The state record low temperature
for this date is 5 degrees F at Leech Lake (Cass County) in 1909. State
record precipitation for this date is 3.55 inches at Hokah (Houston
County) in 1994; and state record snowfall for this date is 16.0 inches
at Two Harbors (Lake County) in 1950.

Past weather features

The coldest April 25th in history occurred in 1909 when freezing
temperatures prevailed across all parts of the state. Many areas saw low
temperatures dip into the teens F, while Detroit Lakes reported a low
of just 9 degrees F and it was only 5 degrees F at Leech lake. The
temperature at Leech Lake climbed to 64 degrees F the next day, but it
was short-lived. The thermometer remained below freezing all day at
Kelliher (Beltrami County) achieving an afternoon high of just 30
degrees F. Widespread snow kept temperatures cooler than normal most of
the month, with April of 1909 being the 5th coldest in state history.

April
24-26, 1950 brought a late winter snow storm to northern counties,
dropping over a foot of snow in many places and causing some school
closures. April of 1950 was one of the snowiest in history for many
northern Minnesota communities.

The warmest ever April 25th
occurred in 1962 when over 25 Minnesota communities reported a daytime
high temperature of 90 degrees F or greater. It was 88 degrees F as far
north as Itasca State Park. The warm spell ended on April 27th when
temperatures fell off into the 50s and 60s F.

Outlook

Sunny and breezy on Saturday, with near normal temperatures in most
places. Increasing cloudiness on Saturday night and continued windy
with periods of showers on Sunday. Chance for snow in the northeastern
counties. Breezy conditions will also prevail early next week with
daily chances for showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will run
cooler than normal most of the week, with some overnight lows in the 30s
F in the south, and perhaps more snow showers in the north.

Further information

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